Wajir governor flags off ambulances, promises better services

Governor Ahmed Abdullahi has promised to revive the Wajir Referral Hospital and other health facilities in the county as soon as possible.

The health sector has been facing an acute shortage of medical supplies, scarcity of ambulances and lack of oxygen.

Abdullahi said healthcare arguably remains the most vital devolved function and that is why his government is determined to fix the ailing sector by reviving all the health facilities that are non-functional.

He spoke on Tuesday when he flagged off three ambulances that will support the county referral system and attend to emergency medical cases.

The ambulances were procured through a Sh95 million grant from the World Bank under Kenya Devolution Support Programme.

The funds are performance-based and conditional grants to support capacity building and technical assistance at the county level.

Abdullahi said the health sector is crucial and needs to be given priority.

“As we promised during campaigns, providing quality healthcare services is one of the priorities of our administration,” he said.

Almost all gubernatorial candidates pledged to uplift the health sector and restore and improve services.

Residents had to be taken to the Wajir County Referral Hospital for treatment, putting a strain on the facility.

Last Thursday, the governor promised to ensure health centres provide much needed services and offer high quality, accessible and reliable services.  

He spoke during his swearing in ceremony at Wajir Baraza park.

Abdullahi also promised to oversee the resumption of drug supply to health facilities.

He said he will also ensure the Wajir medical stores are re-stocked with six months supply of essential drugs at all times.

The governor further promised to introduce a medical cover for those aged 50 years and above.

(Edited by Bilha Makokha)